Coupling



Sept. 26, 1950 E. SZEKELY COUPLING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30'. 1947 OTTO E. SZEKELV ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1950 o. E. SZEKELLY 2,523,923

v COUPLING Filed Oct. 30, 1947 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 0770 E. SZEKELJ ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1950' o.- E; SZKEK'ELY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 00's. 30, 1947 INVENTOR. OTTO E. SZEKELV Patented Sept. 26, 1950 COUPLING Otto E. Szekely, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to 0. E. Szekely & Associates, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a, corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 3'0, 1947, Serial No. 783,039

This invention relates to a novel coupling and more particularly to one so constructed as to form a positive connection and, at the same time, as to be quickly connected and disconnected.

The coupling according to this invention is of simple construction and is invarious forms and applied to various uses as, for examp1e,in the mounting of one element on another, as, for example, of an accessory, as a generator, starter, or the like, on an internal combustion engine; or, as a further example, the making of a driving connection between, for example, ,a driven shaft and an element to be driven.

The coupling according to this invention comprises, broadly speaking, a pair of complementary elements each having a plurality of spaced fingers extended at an angle, the fingers of the respective elements being adapted to interlock and when interlocked to present, due to their angularity, a plurality of angularly opposed surfaces;

and a locking element provided with a pair of angularly opposed surfaces corresponding to the angularly opposed surfaces presented by the interlocked fingers and adapted to engage and exert a cam action upon such surfaces whereby the elements are secured together.

Having now indicated, in a general way, the nature and purpose of this invention, I will proceed to a detailed description of an embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the complementary elements of a coupling according to this 7 invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the second of the 1 Claim. (01. 285-129) complementary elements of a coupling according to this invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4--4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a locking element.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6--5, Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a plan view, partly in section, of complete coupling according to this invention.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8--8, Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of coupling embodying this invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the element shown in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the element shown in Figure 3.

The element illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 comprises a flange I, drilled as at 2, 2 for attachment by means of bolts, and provided peripherally. with a plurality of uniformly spaced fingers 3, 3. The fingers 3, 3 extend from the flange I at an angle and respectively present surfaces 3, 3 extending at an angle, say, for example, an angle of to the plane of the flange 2. As shown in Figure 10 the flange l is provided with an annular flange or pilot l5.

The element illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 is complementary to the element illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a flange l, drilled as at 2', 2' for attachment by means of bolts, and provided peripherally with a plurality of uniformly spaced fingers 3', 3, extending from the flange I at an angle and respectively presenting surfaces 4', 4' extending at an angle of say, for example, 75 to the plane of the flange I'. The fingers 3', 3', in distinction from the fingers 3, 3, Figures 1 and 2, are tapered outwardly in their extension from root to tip, say, for example, on an angle of about 15.

The flange I is provided with a recess l6 adapted to receive the flange or pilot I 5 on flange I,

The fingers 3, 3, Figures 1 and 2, and the fingers 3', 3, Figures 3 and 4, are of a width and spacing such that they may be interlocked with their respective surfaces 4, 4 and 4', 4', in opposed angular relationship.

By virtue of the tapering of the fingers 3, 3', the fingers of the two elements are interlocked by axial movement of the elements and will remain interlocked except against axial movement of the elements. As a consequence, for example, in mounting a'generator, as shown in Figure 8. when the fingers are interlocked, the generator cannot fall and needs no support while the locking ring is placed and secured.

The locking element illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 comprises a pair of semi-circular members 5, 5 provided with bosses 6, 6, drilled as at 1, 1 for the passage of bolts for securing the members together. The members 5, 5 as shown in Figure 6, are formed with interior angularly extending cam surfaces 8, 8 complementary to the surfaces 4, 4 and 4', 4' of the fingers 3, 3 and 3', 3.

In practice for, by way of illustration, the mounting of a generator on an engine base, as illustrated by Figures 7 and 8, the flange I is secured by bolts 9 to a motor base l0, and the flange l' is secured to a generator I2, indicated by dotted lines, Figures 7 and 8. The fingers 3, 3 and 3', 3

are then interlocked, axial alignment of the generator shaft with the drive shaft being insured by the entry of the flange or pilot IE on flange l into the recess IS in flange 2, and the semi-circular members 5, 5 positioned within the cam surfaces 5 8, 8 in engagement with the surfaces 4, 4 and 4', 4' presented iby' the jingers 3, 3 land-1:31; 3'5; The; members '5, 5 are then drawn together and secured--- by means of bolts I3 passed through the bosses 6, 6. of fingers 3', 3, the generator need not be supported while the locking collar is being placed and secured.

As will now be apparent, the members 5,=5 act secured to the engine base and generator, together through the cam actionof: thermembers-g 5, 5 on the interlocked fingers 3, 3 and 3, 3'.

As will .be apparent, the generator willbedismounted by releasing bolts [3, removing members 2 5, dand'withdrawing thefingers 3,t'3;and 3", 3 from their interlocked relationship.

Referring-now" to Figure 8,: it will be appreciated'that the structure-of the several elements isthe samev as: described, above except that'the 2 flanges. l ands-l are provided;with angular aperrtures, forexample, siX-;sided-'as shown, rather than circular. Itfwill,of'coursma'be appreciated that the angular apertures in the flanges I, I may: be other than six sided; as; for examp1e,-octagonal 3 or square.

As will'be apparent, the'several elements of the coupling according to this invention-:may 'be'fabricated from any suitable material, such as iron, steel, aluminum; ferrous andnon-ierrousalloys; 3

It is again noted that by virtue of the taper -10 J with consideration for the particular use fol" which any given embodiment is intended.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A coupling comprising a pair of complementary members each provided with spaced fingers extending ;=from-an end thereof-atan acute angle to aplane vertical to the axes-of said members, said fingers being adapted to be interlocked to present angularly extending surfaces in staggered relation, the fingers extending from one of said complementary members being of greater width at their tipsthan at their roots, the fingers extending -from the other'complementary member, each to draw and hold the fiangesd; l', respectively ls being-in their extension from root to tip of substantially the same contour as the contour of the corresponding spacescbetween the fingers extending from .the first said complementary member,

" and a locking member adapted to engage the angularly extending surface presented by said interlock'edfingers, the interlocking action being such that a slight relative tilting of the complementary members-will securely bind themtogether.

OTTO E. SZEKELY.

REFERENCES, ,CITED The following references are of record in-the file i of this patent:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS.

Number Name Date 1,263,252 Je'ncick Apr. 16,1918 1,882,616 Hutchinson; .c Oct. 11, 1932- 1,909,297 Merrill May 16,' 1933 2,439,161" Du-Bois lApr."6, 1948 V 

